C/o The storyline, new character development, new developments are my intellectual property.

A/n a little more...

Enemies

Darcy

I see the faces around the room, and even Albert shares my opinion, it would be nice if Caroline would learn something, but she probably won't. It would take something greater to make her a little less condescending and a dash kinder.

We know that the blood might be tainted, but the dogs don't think so. It smells good, but this is not the time. Richard touches Caroline's head. "She should be punished for attempting against my queen; she is working with Aunt Catherine. George needs to take care of her." He sounds relieved he won't be the justice's dispenser.

"Queen?" My aunt asks in a shrill voice, already cowering from the Drag-dogs. One of her ancestors must be their natural enemy. She looks terrified, from the dogs, and let's not forget the Royal Hunters, who are feared by those like her. We all believed they were all gone, I am glad they aren't.

My aunt looks at Elizabeth, "You have no rights to take what is my daughter's. You are nothing," then looks at me, "who gave you permission, she cannot be your wife."

Pick doesn't agree, he stops his blood feast to snap in the air and growls at her; she cringes, good she fears the ruffians.

I put an end to her coming barrage of insults, "It can be because we have bonded. By our rules, Lizzie is my lady wife hence your queen." I look at Richard." I need to think because Caroline is Charles' sister. However, hers is a grave offense." My eyes go from my aunt to Caroline.

"You traitor, this is not over." My aunt's words are full of hatred.

"Please spare Caroline, " Albert bows, calling for mercy. "Call me a fool, but I love her. Perhaps you might understand me, you see, she is the one for me. Alas, I have known since I first set my eyes on her. Besides, she has potential, it will be a pleasure." He winks.

He is a beast tamer, but he will never be mean, why? Because he loves the pesky nasty woman. It will be interesting when she discovers his nature; it would seem that her future will be full of 'nasty' beasts, hopefully very far away. By now I am convinced that Charles' father had other heritage, but it cannot be vermin. Otherwise, Albert wouldn't love her.

Lady Tony agrees, "If anyone can tame this orange beast, it is Albert. We can agree that a little discipline will go along way. She has been left to run wild with her nasty superior ways."

We all grin, "You go ahead and try, you have one week to marry her, Richard, please erase the last memories."

"I will not only try, but I will. As you know, compromising goes a long way."Albert thanks me, and we shake hands.

Von Stern goes to Tony, "These two I know," he points at the last two comers who appeared to aid my aunt. "Let me take them to be put together. My dear lady, I hope to see you again."

Tony, the warrior, blushes again and smiles shyly; surprising, she is also a lady; she will do Von Stern a most suitable, lovely wife. Von Stern turns around to face Elizabeth, "They are traitors who have served your family, my Lady," he tells Elizabeth. Afterward, he picks up the fallen head and the arm and disappears with the two last comers.

Loud noise outside alerts us of trouble, and right in front of our eyes, Aunt Catherine is gone. Albert and Tony are wrinkling their noses, "This couldn't be, we saw nothing. It smells like real vermin, a Darkling?"

Now, that is amazing, the knowledge is coming to them naturally. They must have an Alm, it is probably hidden under their beautiful fur. Once their hunter was out, the embedded Alm activated their inherited knowledge. At once I realize, the next to be 'rescued' is Anne.

"They will get Anne, let's hurry," I take Elizabeth's hand and look at the dogs, "back to normal," I order. There is no need they have changed to our acceptable form; we all are.

Elizabeth whispers, "I told you, you are my King of Shadows, my Shadow King." She squeezes my hand, it feels like a kiss, it goes all the way to my groin. I want her, right now. I kiss her hand, I wish that she didn't have gloves. I want to be alone with her.

We run towards the ballroom, which is still smoky. We see Lord Tobías; the screams were Jane's struggling against him, she is enraged. Poor Tobias, he is cornered attempting to stop Jane from going to Collins. Luckily the place is practically deserted; they are nearly the only ones since only a few stayed inside the building. He is at a disadvantage because of Jane and Mrs. Bennett, he doesn't want to hurt them.

Hurst is fighting others, the guests are outside, and it is cold; soon, they will need to come in. Collins points a concentrator at Tobias when we are coming in; luckily, Mr. Bennett comes from behind, and throws a double edge dagger aiming for Collins back; namely for his right heart, our vital one. He obviously knows a lot. Collins turns and shoots, his target is Bennett, who is surpassingly agile and moves to the side. Collins readies to fire again, as Bennett pulls a pistol.

Elizabeth screams, "Not my father," and sends a bolt, which knocks Collins to the ground. Foolish Jane is crying and runs to him, but Lord Tobías catches her. When Collins starts to go into the shadows, already bleeding, Tony is quick once again and stops him with her tail. She is a graceful warrior, a thing of beauty, even in her half-hunter form; if my heart were not taken my heart would be hers. But my Lizzie will be a good warrior, she is not afraid.

In a corner, I see two more guests, but those are not with my aunt. I think they are hopefuls because they were only looking at my Lizzie, that is until they see Tony. Now, they look from Tony to Lizzie trying to make a choice. Thinking that if not the princess, Tony is more available and also lovely; plus she is a hunter.

Not for long because Von Stern is back; he sees them and shakes his head. He is telling them that Tony is his. They go away, but I think Von Stern will have competitors for Tony, of that I am sure. She is a price to be had, and they saw what she was. They are the same competitors that I have. They are two glorious females; indeed, I need to complete the ritual. At least we have Collins, we have ways to secure him and have done so.

Bartlett did better, he has Anne. "Don't let go of her. Aunt Catherine is gone, I suspect she is coming back. I think it was either her father or Anne's father who took her." Anne is whimpering and crying, she keeps asking for her sister, calling her. A sister? Since when? "Selene where are you? Did you hurt my sister, where is Selene?"

We all wonder, that was one George mother's names.

Bartlett asks, "Selene Wickham?"

Foolish Anne answers, "Who else, are you a ninny?"

I see much is becoming clear. Poor George, as the new enforcer will be his job to deal with this situation. He will then learn that his mother was always working for Aunt Catherine. Even worse, he will realize that Anne is his aunt. I hope that we are wrong.

I take the chance to inform Bartlett, "I have accepted my place, of course, we will have the official ceremony. You are my ambassador as you always wished."

Salome's face is radiant, I see, she is the one who wished for the job. As my second Bartlett's life would mostly work; whereas as the ambassador, they will be all over the world, participating in an active political and social life. Richard might go with them often, but Bartlett will be by her side, not locked up in meetings and whatnot. She runs to me, hugs me and then bows, "Thank you, my lord, our son will be named after you." She pats her belly.

What great news, we will celebrate later on. Barlett is ambitious, but his wife comes first. When he married Salome he told me his wishes, it made it easier for me. In reality, he should be my second. Either of my cousins would have been a great choice.

Anne is now crying, afraid for her life. Since her mother can no longer protect her, none of us will be compelled by her.

I come back to Lizzie, who is unhappy with Jane. I anger when I hear her foolish mother, she is insulting Lizzie, but Mr. Bennett prevails, "Fanny, go away, leave her alone. I will be sending you a letter from my solicitor if I am alive. I imagine that I'm in big trouble, and rightly so. It is my fault for giving in to your non-stopping demands. Your brother tried to stop you. Sadly, I betrayed my father and my family before him. Centuries of trust lost because I was weak." he looks around the room.

Mr. Bennett then comes by Mrs. Bennett' side, "You are a fool, I recommend you stay quiet and go to your sister."

"Where is my Lydia, and I say again, Elizabeth is wicked and a wanton?" She keeps going, but cannot say much, guests are coming back in.

We need to leave right now. Elizabeth is not safe here. Besides, I want my bride. I cannot wait to continue what we started earlier. I want my beloved in my arms, on our bed, best to stop my thoughts and concentrate.

Elizabeth

I am taking my sisters away. I don't know what is wrong with Jane, she is sick, but I will find a way to calm her. Presently, she doesn't remember what happened, other than she wants to go 'home.' We are leaving tonight, once we can locate Lydia. I will not leave any of them behind.

We are going to pack, when Ian, the young lad that used to work in Longbourn, comes in the room running. He looks disheveled like he has been in a fight. When he sees me, he comes by my side. "Miss Elizabeth, It is about Miss Lydia."

Lydia? What has she done, what happened to her?

"Miss Elizabeth," he looks down, doesn't know how to tell me. I look around for William; he is coming towards me. Pick is by my side.

"Sir is about Miss Lydia, please come. Maybe is best is Miss Elizabeth stays here." My father heard, "I'll come with you."

He takes my arm, we go followed by several of William's men, Agnes Reynolds comes along as well. I am apprehensive. I look at William but he avoids my eyes, he is hiding something from me, I am sure. What?

a/n what has happened to Lydia.